The mission of the Sedona Police Department is to preserve the public peace through the enforcement of the law, protection of life and property, providing exceptional service, and collaborative community partnerships. 

Our officers and professional staff are committed to serving all parties regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, religion, or political preference.

Additionally, when you have had a positive experience with a member of the Sedona Police Department team, we want to hear from you.  Policing is one of the most complex and challenging professions in the 21st Century, with inherent stressors associated with meeting high expectations and the risk of being faced with life threatening circumstances always lingering.  Team members are always uplifted by and appreciative of kudos associated with their good work.  We are thankful for your support. 

The Sedona Police Department is committed to maintaining a positive relationship with our community, and correcting and learning from any possible adverse actions, practices, or attitudes that may contribute to community tensions or grievances.

Commending superior performance

If you wish to commend the actions of any Sedona Police Department employee, you can:

• Ask to speak to the employee’s supervisor and verbally communicate your praise, or
• You can write a letter to the Chief of Police explaining your praise (sfoley@sedonaaz.gov)

Commendations received by the Chief of Police for any Sedona Police Department employee will result in advising the employee of your compliment and in permanently recording his/her actions and your appreciation in the employee’s personnel file. An awards committee reviews all reports of outstanding performance, and an appropriate award may follow.

Citizen complaint procedure

It is the policy of the Sedona Police Department to investigate all complaints against the department or its employees. This ensures the integrity of the department while protecting the rights and interests of both citizens and department employees. The department will take complaints in any form, and complaints may be made anonymously.

The following is a brief synopsis of the process that follows when a complaint is filed.

Pursuant to Section 13-2907.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, it is a Class-1 Misdemeanor to knowingly make to a law enforcement agency a false, fraudulent, or unfounded report or statement or to knowingly misrepresent a fact for the purpose of interfering with the orderly operation of a law enforcement agency or misleading a peace officer.

Interview. A police supervisor will interview you about your complaint. The supervisor will ask you about what happened. It is possible that the supervisor may be able to explain the employee’s action(s) to your satisfaction.

Normally you will be interviewed at the Sedona Police Department. You may expect to be audio or videotaped during the interview/ The supervisor will ask you for the names of all witnesses and other police department employees that may know facts about your complaint. It is important to have as much information as possible. Evidence processing may take place as related to your complaint.

Investigation. After the interview, the police department will investigate your complaint. Investigators will be supervisors of the employee or an investigator.

All involved employees will be interviewed and witnesses whom you’ve named will be contacted. You may also be asked for more information. Although it is impossible to estimate how long the investigation will take, a normal investigation should take no more than 30 days to complete. If you have any questions you may contact our administrative office at (928) 282-3102.

Review. Upon completion, those within the employee’s chain of command will review the investigation. The employee’s commander shall render an appropriate disposition.

Disposition. The results of the competed investigation will be classified into one of the four categories below:

1. Sustained—Your complaint has been supported. The employee(s) involved acted improperly and may be disciplined.
2. Unfounded—The investigation revealed no basis to the complaint.
3. Exonerated—The employee(s) involved acted properly and will not be disciplined.
4. Not Sustained—There was not enough evidence to prove your complaint true of false, so no further action will be taken.

After a thorough investigation of the complaint, the Chief of Police will promptly notify you in writing of the disposition and whether disciplinary action will be taken.

Your rights after the disposition

1. The police department will not condone, and will take disciplinary action against those employees who cause harassment, tacit or otherwise, of complainants, witnesses, or any other person connected to any internal investigation.
2. Notify the Sedona Police Department immediately if you suspect violation of any of the above.
3. You may ask about the status of your complaint at any time by calling the police department administration office at (928) 282-3102.

Responsibility: Ours and yours

The Sedona Police Department views all citizen complaints against its employees very seriously and actively pursues investigation into misconduct. For this reason, you must ensure that your complaint is based on fact and you have provided us with all of the facts to the best of your ability. If you intentionally make a false report to this department, you should know that making a false report could result in criminal and/or civil legal proceedings being filed against you.

Our commitment to you

Employees of the Sedona Police Department shall at all times strive to be courteous and professional in their dealings with citizens. It is the hope of the department that all of your contact with our officers is positive. If not, we will endeavor to resolve the complaint to your satisfaction in a prompt and objective way.